EPL 2016/17: Zlatan Ibrahimovic has missed the most number of big chances this season

Manchester United's attacking worries seem to continue.

Against Liverpool, Ibrahimovic missed a sitter when he failed to head Pogba's pinpoint cross at goal

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's start to life in the English Premier League (EPL) could not have gone better as he scored five goals in the first five matches he played for Manchester United. However, in the remaining eight games, he was only able to score one goal, which came during the UEFA Europa League against Ukranian side, FC Zorya Luhansk.

Now, this might seem like the opposition defenders are finally figuring him out. Opta, on observing the numbers closely, have revealed that Ibrahimovic holds the record for having missed the most number of big chances in the Premier League this season thus far.

Opta, who are one of the foremost providers of data for sports, define a big chance as – A situation where a player should reasonably be expected to score usually in a one-on-one scenario or from very close range.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has now failed to score in his last four league games, his longest goal drought since January 2015. pic.twitter.com/HRyiln5LrT

Even if a defender passes the ball to the opposition striker, and the striker fails to finish after going through on goal, it will be counted as a big chance missed by the striker. On the other hand, a big chance warrants that a shot is taken by the player. If a player, who is through on goal, and fails to get a shot away then the chance is not termed under the big chance category.

For the 2016/17 season, Opta has been noting down the list of players who have missed most sitters. Although Ibrahimovic has four goals to his name in the EPL this season, as per the latest data, the Swede has missed five big chances, which is the highest in the league.

Ibrahimovic can possibly take comfort from the fact that he is not the only one who has missed five big chances this season. Accompanying him are Arsenal's Theo Walcott and Sunderland's Jermain Defoe. Man United's record £89 million signing, Paul Pogba also makes the top ten, having missed three big chances.

It could be argued that these players, who make the list, are able to get themselves into scoring positions. For midfielders like Pogba and Dele Alli (who also makes the list), it might be termed as an added attribute to find themselves in such situations. However, for a forward like Ibrahimovic, it could very well be seen from a negative perspective.